Echelle spectrograph
Princeton Instruments/Acton has released the new SpectraPro HRE high-resolution echelle spectrograph. In the instrument, a cross-dispersive prism is used to separate multiple orders of diffraction from the echelle grating before they are imaged onto a plane of a CCD. Without any moving parts, the spectrograph can continuously sample wavelengths from 190 to 1050 nm. The dispersion and the wavelength coverage of the instrument can be changed through the use of field-replaceable multiple dispersive elements. The resolution depends on the dispersive element, and varies from 0.08 nm at 254-nm wavelength (coverage from 190 to 1050 nm) to 0.04 nm at 254 nm with the UV element (190–600 nm); a VUV element can be used for the 150- to 350-nm range. Input apertures are available, in a wide selection, from 10 to 100 µm. Princeton Instruments/Acton, 15 Discovery Way, Acton, MA 01720, http://www.piacton.com
NIR transform spectrometer
Polychromix has launched its new near-IR digital transform spectrometer (DTS) T product family. It is powered by the company’s telecommunication MEMS technology, which uses an innovative MEMS spatial light modulator with a single indium gallium arsenide detector and no moving parts. The DTST devices use a standard USB connection for both communications and power interfaces, and currently target general-purpose spectroscopy applications. The product family can operate in various scanning modes, including monochromator, chemometric, and digital transform. The DTST-1700 instrument covers the 900-1700-nm wavelength range with 12-nm optical resolution, the DTST-2500, the 1700-2500-nm range (22-nm resolution), and the DTST-NB operates in the interval 1100-1350 nm (4-nm resolution). Polychromix, 30 Upton Drive, Wilmington, MA 01887, http://www.polychromix.com
Wide-range spectrophotometer
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has introduced the UV-3600 UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer, which covers the 185- to 3300-nm wavelength range. It is equipped with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector for the UV and visible wavelength regions and indium gallium arsenide and lead sulfide detectors for the near-IR range. The InGaAs detector bridges the region between the PMT–PbS switching wavelength to ensure high sensitivity across the entire range. The instrument uses a high-performance double monochromator to achieve ultralow stray light (0.00005% or less at 340 nm) while maintaining up to a 0.1-nm resolution. In the UV/VIS region, wavelength accuracy is ±0.08 nm with repeatability of less than ±0.08 nm; in the NIR region, the accuracy is ±0.8 nm and repeatability less than ±0.32 nm. Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, 7102 Riverwood Drive, Columbia, MD 21046, http://www.ssi.shimadzu.com
Spectroscopy software platform
Ocean Optics has developed SpectraSuite, a modular, Java-based spectroscopy platform that can be used to control any of the company’s USB spectrometers and devices and other manufacturers’ USB instrumentation. With SpectraSuite, a user can combine data from separate spectrometers in applications that include upwelling and downwelling measurements, dual-beam referencing, and process monitoring. The software framework is modular, which allows data acquisition, scheduling, data processing, and rendering functions, for example, in modules that can be altered or replaced. SpectraSuite can manage multiple USB spectrometers—each with different acquisition parameters—in multiple windows, and provides graphical and numeric representation of spectra from each spectrometer. Ocean Optics Inc, 830 Douglas Avenue, Dunedin, FL 34698, http://www.oceanoptics.com
Multiplexer for spectrometers
The MUX-FSM, a multiplexer module from tec5USA, is based on piezoelectric technology and is ideally suited to combine up to eight measurement points with only one spectrometer. The module is a recommended accessory for the company’s MultiSpec family of fast and simultaneous readout spectrometer systems. The MUX-FSM is based on a unique principle of fiber-surface coupling. Multimode fibers with core diameters of up to 660 µm are used and offer typical insertion losses of less than 1.4 dB. Because the switch has no optical components, the device has little wavelength dependence and thus can be used from the UV up to the near-IR region. The highly accurate positioning of the piezoelectric actuators assures a light transmission of more than 80%. The multiplexer switching time is typically 50 ms with a minimum of 7 ms. tec5USA Inc, 80 Skyline Drive, Plainview, NY 11803, http://www.tec5usa.com
Interferometers
Precision Optical Engineering’s INTERFIRE II family of interferometers features a focal plane array camera that is much more sensitive than previous cameras and has thus significantly reduced noise, allowing high-quality images of fringes to be acquired quickly and easily with no focus drift. The instruments are all configured as Twyman-Green unequal-path interferometers and feature a fast warm-up time. Four models are available, each with a nominal 35-mm aperture and zoom and focus systems. The INTERFIRE II 10.6 uses a stabilized CO2 waveguide laser source that operates at 10.6 µm. The models operating at 3–5 µm, 1.55 µm, and 850 nm (see photo) use diode laser sources along with a helium–neon laser for alignment. The INTERFIRE II may be used in production, quality control, or research applications. Precision Optical Engineering, 42 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, SG4 0TP, UK, http://www.p-oe.co.uk
Near-IR InGaAs spectrometer
Edmund Optics has announced a new f/3.0 NIR spectrometer with excellent sensitivity in the 900- to 1700-nm range. It is powered by a large 512-element linear indium gallium arsenide array that is both thermoelectrically cooled and isolated via a built-in heat sink. The compact plug-and-play spectrometer provides integration times of 0.5 ms to 65.5 s and a 16-bit digitized data system with a 3-ms-per-spectrum data-transfer speed. A wavelength accuracy of 1 nm and a resolution of better than 4 nm make the instrument ideal for critical-process monitoring, inspection, and quality-control applications. The spectrometer software features a wide variety of archiving, processing, and analysis functions. Spectrum graphing, dark subtraction, and integration timing enable accurate data collection. Edmund Optics Inc, 101 East Gloucester Pike, Barrington, NJ 08007-1380, http://www.edmundoptics.com
Reflectance accessory for spectrophotometers
Thermo Electron Corp has released the Evolution VN Absolute Reflectance Accessory that allows absolute reflectance measurements on the company’s Evolution 300 and 600 spectrophotometers. Applications include antireflective coatings, multilayer coatings, thin films, and laser mirrors. The VN accessory measures near-normal reflectance with a 10-degree angle of incidence. Since the light bounces off the sample surface only once, smaller samples can be measured than with other techniques, and accurate measurements of low-reflectance samples can be made. Each optical surface of the VN accessory is coated with magnesium fluoride to provide an extended lifetime. There is no need to use calibrated specular standards such as a first-surface aluminum mirror. Thermo Electron Corporation, 5225 Verona Road, Madison, WI 53711, http://www.thermo.com
LED source for spectrofluorometers
HORIBA Jobin Yvon has announced intense light sources for frequency-domain fluorescence spectroscopy that can provide a sine-wave modulation frequency of 500 Hz to 320 MHz and are available in collimated or focused beams. The modulated LEDs have an intensity of up to five times that of the standard system that uses a xenon-arc lamp plus a Pockels cell. Three wavelengths—280, 295, and 365 nm—are now offered with more to come. The LEDs are plug-and-play with all cables and electronics included. The new sources can be added to the company’s Fluorolog-Tau-2 and Tau-3 systems in which the modulated beam excites a sample that emits fluorescence at the same frequency, but phase shifted and demodulated by the average sample fluorescence lifetime. HORIBA Jobin Yvon Inc, Fluorescence Division, 3880 Park Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820-3012, http://www.jobinyvon.com
Subaperture stitching interferometer
The Melles Griot Optics Group has commissioned its new QED Subaperture Stitching Interferometer (SSI) to provide highly precise interferometric measurements of large clear aperture surfaces of up to 200 mm in diameter and thus significantly increase the surface accuracy of the company’s optical elements. The SSI will work in conjunction with a magnetorheological finishing system that is co-located in a class-10 000 clean facility. The fully automatic SSI uses a stitching algorithm to self-calibrate and compensate for errors induced by vibration. The new system can also test large, concave, convex, and flat optics in a vertical configuration, define the lattice pattern of subapertures, and automatically set pixel scales. Melles Griot Optics Group, 55 Science Parkway, Rochester, NY 14620, http://www.mellesgriot.com
Online hydrogen sulfide analyzer
The model H2S-220 from Applied Analytics is a fiber-optic diode-array UV spectrophotometer for online H2S monitoring. It measures 1024 discrete frequencies between 190 and 800 nm with a 1.0-nm resolution. The diode-array design enables the company to accurately correct for species that have interfering absorbencies and to measure very low and very high levels of H2S with the same analyzer. There is no need to replace any components when moving from one concentration range to another; the user defines which setting wavelengths to monitor. Either a fiber-optic in situ probe or a flow cell can be used. The flow-cell path length depends on the H2S concentration and can range from 2 mm to 1 m. Output signals include 4–20 mA and Modbus TCP/IP. There is an option for automatic zero and span. Applied Analytics Inc, 2 Clock Tower Place, Suite 535, Maynard, MA 01754, http://www.a-a-inc.com
Production viewing system
The new Super Scope 2000 from the O.C. White Co delivers crisp and clear, high-resolution, real-time color images without the need for long hours of microscope use. Images are displayed on a 10.4-inch medical grade LCD video system combined with a high-resolution and high-sensitivity custom -inch camera. Those images can be viewed by more than one person—unlike with a microscope—and thus offer opportunities for training, oversight, or supervisor examination. Super Scope provides a zoom view with a magnification range of 4–45× and up to 90×, with an optional 2× lens, and also features audio and extra video input and output ports. The instrument enables the user to easily capture images for transfer via e-mail with voice-over to anyone, anywhere, over the internet. O.C. White Company, 2039 Bridge Street, Three Rivers, MA 01080, http://www.ocwhite.com
Scanning probe microscopy
Veeco Instruments has introduced two new application modules for its Digital Instruments CP-II scanning probe microscope. The scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) and conductive atomic-force microscope (CAFM) add-on modules enable advanced electrical characterization. The SCM unit can measure variations in carrier concentration on silicon and compound semiconductor structures. It also makes possible electrostatic force microscopy and surface potential imaging. The CAFM module can analyze variations in film thickness, locate electrical defects, and map the electrical properties of materials. It can measure local current-voltage or current-force spectra and provide polarization measurements of small ferroelectric capacitors and single grains. Veeco Instruments Inc, 100 Sunnyside Boulevard, Suite B, Woodbury, NY 11797-2902, http://www.veeco.com
Nanopositioning actuators
PI (Physik Instrumente) has introduced the M-2x series of high-precision motorized linear actuators that provide resolutions to 4 nm, pushing forces to 120 N, and speeds to 50 mm/s. A piezo tip with 1-nm resolution is available as an option. The M-23x series actuators consist of a motor connected to a ball screw or lead screw and feature a nonrotating tip that ensures maximum stability and motion linearity. Both stepper and closed-loop DC servomotors are offered with integrated noncontacting limit switches and homing sensors. The DC-motor versions come with a closed-loop, high-resolution encoder that allows a minimum incremental motion of 50 nm. For applications in which space is critical, an ultracompact version with a folded drive-train configuration is available. PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., 16 Albert Street, Auburn, MA 01501, http://www.pi-usa.us
New literature
Pfeiffer Vacuum has released its new 2005–2007 mass spectrometer catalog. The 116-page color catalog contains information on products from the low-cost Prisma residual gas analyzer to mass spectrometers for gas and ion analysis, including the OmniStar and ThermoStar lines. Pfeiffer Vacuum Inc, 24 Trafalgar Square, Nashua, NH 03063-1988, http://www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com
The 2006 Product Guide from New Focus offers new product information on position-sensing detectors, spherical singlet lenses and holders, and integrated motion-control solutions, along with tunable lasers and laser controllers and ultrafast detectors. New Focus, 2584 Junction Avenue, San Jose, CA 95134, http://www.newfocus.com
OptoSigma Corp is offering its 2006 catalog with details on such products as thin-film coatings, optical components, optomechanics (including differential micrometers), and manual and motorized positioners both linear and rotational. OptoSigma Corporation, 2001 Deere Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705, http://www.optosigma.com
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